Automatic nail-clamp attachment for hammers



March 13, 1928. 1,662,703

A. HELFRICH AUTOMATIC NAIL CLAMP ATTACHMENT FOR HAMMERS Fil ed Feb. 19. 1927 .A7i207? INVENTQR ATTORNEY \VITNESS:

Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

ANTON nnmnion, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN- AUTOMATI NAIL-CLAMP ATTACHMENT FOR HAMMERS.

Application filed February .19, 1927. Serial No. 169,590.

The object of this invention is the provision of a hammer with an automatic nail holder or clamp of an extremely simple 'but thoroughly efficient nature.

A further object is the provision of an automatic nail clamping attachment for hammers which is not only eflicient for clamping nails against the eye portion of a hammer head, so that the nail may be started in the work in which it is to be driven but which will readily release a nail when the same is to be operated on by the hammer, and further wherein the device serves as a protector for the portion of the handle at and adjacent to its connection with the hammer head.

To the attainment of the above broadly stated objects and others which will present themselves as the nature of the invention is better understood, the improvement also re sides in certain other novel features of conthe numeral 1 designates a hammer head and 2 the eye portion thereof. In the eye there is received the end of the usual wooden liandle 3.

In carrying out my invention I bore a hole in one edge of the handle 3 in a line'with the poll end of the hammer head and a suitable distance away from the eye 2 of the hammer head. This hole provides a pocket for one end of a comparatively light helical spring 4.

The improvement comprises a metal memher or plate 5 which is arched in cross section. The plate 5, at one end thereof, has

its central portion extended and the said extension is formed with a V-shaped opening so that the said extension provides a claw or a pair of jaws 6. The body of the member 5, at approximately the center thereof, has an opening 7 therethrough, and through this opening there is passed a screw 8, the screw 7 entering the handle 3 and the head thereof resting against the wall provided by the claw 6 and the metal eye 2 of the hammer head 1, so that the nail is effectively held and initially driven by manipulating the hammer in the usual manner. When the nail is suiliciently started in the work the hammer is moved longitudinally to bring the head of the nail out of engagement with the claw and the nail is then finally driven home in theusual manner.

My improvement may be readily attached to any ordinary type of nail driving implements and is not, of course, to berestricted to employment in connection with claw hammers as disclosed by the drawings. The improvement in addition to automatically clamping a nail for initial driving, serves as a protector for the part of the wooden handle on which it is arranged. 1

Having described the invention, I claim The combination with a hammer head having a wooden handle and said handle having a pocket therein arranged in a plane with the poll of the hammer head, of a metal plate which is arched in cross section to loosely embrace the handle of the hammer and which plate has one ofits ends cen- This permits of the insertion of the head of a nail between the trally formed with a claw extension, said plate having a central opening therethrough, a screw passing through the opening and threaded into the handle and a helical spring in the pocket exerting a pressure against the plate at one end thereof to swing said plate on its fulcrum to bring the claw against the eye portion of the hammer head and whereby a nail engaged by the claw willhavc its head portion forced against the eye of the hammer and sustained at a right angle with respect to the said eye portion of the hammer.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature ANTON HELFRIGH. 

